In the world of animation, every background tells a story, and every light carries emotion. At SPOOF Animation, Emmanuel Momodu Omozojiele, Head of 3D environment and Lighting, is one of the artists shaping how audiences experience these stories. Starting out as a passionate 3D environment and lighting artist, Emmanuel has also expanded into product design and animation. In this conversation, he takes us behind the screen into his process, challenges, inspirations, and dreams for the future of African worlds in animation.
Interview with Emmanuel Momodu – Head of 3D Environment & Lighting, SPOOF Animation
When you create environments, do you see yourself more as a digital architect building worlds or a painter capturing moods?
Both, I’ll say. Environment is creating architecture, buildings, landmarks, scenes, and also capturing the mood through texturing and lighting.
Between Captain Excellent series, Uniquely Me, and the Jade and the Rebel Planets, which environment challenged you the most, and how did you solve it?
Uniquely Me was the most challenging. The system used at that time made it almost impossible and difficult, especially in the aspects of lighting. Assets (vegetation, Keke, buildings, etc.) had to be created from scratch since they weren’t available for free.
If one of your environments could come alive and become a real place, which would you most love to visit, and why?
I guess that should be Jade and the Rebel Planets. I relate with that because it’s a futuristic world—maybe by 2050 it might become a reality. I would love to experience that world with my family.
Lighting can change everything. Do you think of lighting more as the science of shadows or the poetry of light ?
Lighting gives life, shows the scene’s beauty, and expresses the mood. Yes, I think it’s more of a poetry of light.
Which do you enjoy more: designing the clarity of daytime or creating the drama of night?
I don’t have a preference, so I enjoy both.
If you had to describe your lighting style as a music genre, what would it be?
Hmm… I’ll say it’s realistic and natural.
What’s the most overlooked detail in environment lighting that you wish audiences appreciated more?
The two establishing shots in Uniquely Me were special to me. They capture the atmospheric and street view of Ajegunle, Lagos. I think the audience might overlook that free view.
If SPOOF gave you full creative freedom, what African landmark, city, or fantasy world would you build and light in 3D?
Amazing… I would create a futuristic African city hanging in the atmosphere, with air balloons and crafts flying around the cloud level. In the middle of the city is a national stadium for a soccer game. The buildings are patched together, with small streets, a busy market, and ancient monuments of gods or protectors. There would be ancient temples of gods and an army base on the six corners of the city. Also, giant chains tied from the six army base poles would stretch down to the earth level.
For upcoming Nigerian animators and environment artists, what’s one myth about lighting and environment design they should forget, and one truth they must hold on to?
The myth is that environment is hard stop thinking that. To create an environment, start simple and basic. As for lighting, it’s an interesting part; you don’t need too much of it. A simple lighting setup will do the trick.
Closing Statement
Through his artistry, Emmanuel Momodu reminds us that environments are more than digital backdrops they are living spaces shaped by mood, culture, and vision. From the streets of Ajegunle to futuristic African cities in the sky, his work speaks in shadows and light. And as SPOOF Animation continues to push boundaries, Emmanuel stands as proof that with patience, craft, and imagination, even the smallest detail can illuminate the biggest stories.